What happens when you take a bold leap into the unknown? For former educator Brenna Barnhill, leaving her teaching career with no backup plan led to an unexpected but thriving entrepreneurial journey. In this episode, Brenna shares how a simple social media favor for a parent turned into a full-fledged marketing agency. She dives into the mindset shifts, strategic pivots, and relentless perseverance that helped her build Flourish Marketing Agency alongside her business partner.

If you've ever doubted whether you have what it takes to start a business—or struggled with social media marketing—this episode is for you.

💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business

✅ The power of saying YES – how being open to opportunities can launch your business
✅ Why your past experience matters – how Brenna transferred her teaching skills into marketing success
✅ Content is king, but strategy is QUEEN – how to create engaging content that actually drives business results
✅ How to evolve your business naturally – from solo social media management to a full-service agency
✅ Marketing with intention – how to turn social media from a chore into a business growth tool

📝 About Brenna Barnhill

Brenna Barnhill is a former educator who taught second grade for 5 years before leaving education, uncertain of what was next for her. She had a deep desire for more in her life and for her family. On her last day of school, her path to entrepreneurship unexpectedly began when a parent asked if she would help with social media for their company.

Within 12 weeks, Brenna was approached by her now CFO, who proposed investing in a business together after recognizing her talent for content creation. She immediately said yes, enrolled in a 12-week social media management course, and in October of 2023, Flourish Social became an official LLC.

Since then, she has experienced the ups and downs of entrepreneurship while wrangling two kids and being a firewife. She has built a business she's passionate about, channeling her educational background to develop tailored social strategies for each client, just as she once adapted her teaching style for each student.

🎯 Brenna’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs

"Believe in yourself and don’t give up. There will be ups and downs, but the key is to stay persistent. The version of you in three years will thank you for not quitting today."

Key Takeaways:
✔️ Trust your gut—sometimes, the best opportunities aren’t planned
✔️ Be relentless—your breakthrough might be just around the corner
✔️ Build with purpose—focus on creating value, and success will follow

📢 Memorable Quotes

💬 “I was a teacher with no business experience, but I knew I wanted more. So I figured it out as I went.” – Brenna Barnhill
💬 “Social media isn’t about selling—it’s about building relationships and creating connections.” – Brenna Barnhill
💬 “If you don’t take the leap, you’ll always wonder what could have been.” – Brenna Barnhill

💡 Actionable Takeaways

✅ Not sure what content to create? Check the comments on viral posts in your niche for inspiration
✅ Stop treating social media like a sales pitch—focus on storytelling and engagement
✅ Make content specific and shareable to boost visibility and organic growth
✅ Show up consistently—marketing is a long game, and persistence pays off

🔗 Links & Resources

Just Do The Crime - If They Give You No Time